KF Bachelor of the Month (May)

Ashley Ahmad Smith (Los Angeles, CA)


Knotts Fashion sits down to catch up with Ashley Smith in the west wing of a Pasadena home located a few miles north of downtown Los Angeles on a Monday evening.  Ashley is sharing his attention with his Laptop, Blackberry and his eyes fixated on his flat screen television as we watch the Oklahoma Thunder in triple over time against the Memphis Grizzlies for the NBA playoffs. As we sit around a table full of Fiji water bottles and Haribo gummy bears. Mr. Smith is outfitted casually in grey sweat pants, and a fitted t-shirt that reads his Greek fraternity letters slightly showing the tattoos on his arms.

"Its game time baby" Smith states as he places his Apple Ipad down and tunes into the second quarter of the game.

KF: Are you upset with the Lakers loss?

AAS: No, not at all, I haven’t picked a team to root for but next year I will pick a team. Dallas did a good job but I think D-wade and the King are too much to handle this year. I’m not saying they will walk over the Celtics but Wade is a talented athlete and LeBron plays with an attitude of a gladiator.

KF: In short describe Los Angeles.
AAS: This place is always moving at 100 miles an
hour in every direction. Well, except on the freeway!

KF: What do you think attracts women to you and why?
AAS: I think women are attracted to my intellect. They often tell me I make them think of things that other guys never make them think of (laughs).

KF: Describe one of your most memorable dates that you have been on?
AAS: (shakes head) I would have to say the time I went to a book store with a young lady. It was cool because we walked around peeking at each others books and then we sat down and ate ice cream talking about the books and all other kind of stuff. To me it was as if we became each others books in a store full of books.

KF: Did she show you all of her pages?
AAS: She was a lady, she didn't show me
all of her pages… That time (laughs).

KF: Tell me about the most romantic thing that has ever been done for you.
AAS: Sign a permission slip and then I'll tell you, until then my lips are sealed.

KF: Do you want to get married?
AAS: Of course I do.
KF: When?
AAS: I’m not sure when, but I’m guessing some time before I reach the age of 30. I want to enjoy my wife for many years.
KF: Do you have a woman in mind at the moment?
AAS: (sighs) I don't.

KF: You seem like a well put together guy. Does your future wife have to fit a certain mold?
AAS: I don’t like to set limitations on what she has to be or what she can and cannot bring to the relationship. That makes me shallow and limits my chances of meeting an amazing person don’t you think?. So no, she does not have to fit a mold. My only request for her is be honest. Hold on!

Ashley excuse's him-self from the room to take a Skype call from a friend in Texas whom he has not seen in a while.

AAS: Sorry about that, the time difference makes it hard to stay in touch with people you know?
KF: Yea, I understand.
AAS: Now, where were we sir?

KF: We left off about your dating requirements.
AAS: Oh yea, Honesty…That’s all!

KF: How do you feel about some of the recent fashion trends?
AAS: I love what people are doing right now. A lot of retro looks are resurfacing in many areas. I see younger crowds dressed in some of the styles that my mother draped me in during the late 80's and early 90's. Witch is an indication of history repeating itsself might I add.

KF: Who are some designers you like to wear?
AAS: I don't have a favorite, but I am always pleased with Hugo Boss and Tom Ford. There craftsmanship wins me over every time. Ermenegildo Zenga suits have been a favorite as of late because the quality of fabric.

KF: Any advice for men that want to dress better?
AAS: Find a tailor. Find a tailor Find a tailor (nods head).
KF: Last question, what do you want out of life?
AAS: Happiness, that over rules all things.

By this time, the game is over and the Oklahoma Thunder looks as if they will be advancing in the next round of the playoffs. I tell Mr. Smith that this concludes our interview and kindly thank him for his time and hospitality. Ashley replies by saying “mi casa su casa”. As we wrap up every thing AAS grabs a bottle of Grey Goose out his cabinet and poor’s him self a cocktail. He asks if I would join him and of course I could not decline after he was so generous to allow me to come into his home.

AAS: It’s a time for business and a time for pleasure. It is pleasure time my friend (checks Blackberry and picks up Ipad).

Cheers!

Favorite sport to watch: College Football

Favorite Drink: A dirty Vodka Martini garnished with a Lemon twist: Dry vermouth, Belvedere Vodka, "Shaken not stirred, a good martini depends on how the ice melts in the shaker”.

Book currently reading: The Life of Che Guevara. “Most people recognize Che Guevara as the right hand man to Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, but after closer examination Guevara was a very passionate man who's ideas led to the shaping of Cuba”

Favorite Era: 1970's Seems like an era full of love and Happiness.

Hobbies: Roller Skating, Motorcycle Riding

Most memorable moment as a Kid: Listening to the Jackson Five holiday album


Information:
Twitter: @Its_Asmith
Facebook: A Smith




The Perfect Beach Workout for Summer '11

                                                     
1. Biceps:


-The Barbell Curl
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 8-10

The barbell curl is the best of the free-weight exercises available for bicep growth. The most important thing to remember with the barbell curl is strict form. No swinging, jerking or movement of the shoulders, back or legs. Grab the barbell with an underhand grip shoulder width grip. Stand up straight with your feet about shoulder width apart. Curl the bar up toward your chest keeping your elbows locked in place close to your sides. Lower the weight slowly, and return to the start position and repeat.

-Cable Bicep Curls
*Sets: 2-4
*Reps: 8-10

These are a good exercise for growth in the bicep. Although free weights are superior to cables for many reasons, cable curls have the advantage of maintaining tension on the biceps all the way through motion of the lift. Curl the cable weight upward toward the chest and let the cable weight return the arm to the lower resting position and repeat. You’ll feel this most at the top of the lift, where you have to squeeze harder than with barbell curls.

-Incline Dumbbell Curls
*Sets: 2-4
*Reps: 8-10

Incline dumbbell curls that allow you to add more bulk to the muscles as part of the bicep workout. Sit back on 45-60 degree incline bench. With arms hanging down straight, position two dumbbells with palms facing inward. With elbows back to sides, raise one dumbbell and rotate forearm until forearm is vertical and palm faces shoulder. Lower to original position and repeat with opposite arm. Continue to alternate between sides.

2. Chest:

-Pushups
*Sets: 4-5
*Reps: 40-50

Get into pushup position, with your weight evenly distributed between your toes, hands, legs, hips and back in a straight line. lower and raise your body by bending your elbows, making sure that your arm angle is 90° at the bottom of the movement.

*If you want a greater challenge, try doing decline pushups with your feet raised on a bench or a stability ball, which places greater strain on your chest muscles. Or try diamond pushups, with your hands together.

-Dumbbell Press
*Sets: 4-5
*Reps: 10;8;6;4;2

Lie down on a flat bench, take one dumbbell in each hand, bend your elbows so that your hands are by your shoulders with your palms facing your feet, and use your chest muscles to press the weights up and back down. For variety, you can try these with a slight incline in the bench, which places more emphasis on your upper chest, or on a decline, which places more emphasis on your lower chest.

-Incline Bench Press
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 8;6;4;2

On an incline bench, using a slightly wider-than-shoulder-width grip, lower the bar to your chest (toward the collarbone). Drive the bar upward and slightly backward (toward the head) until your arms are fully extended. Bring the bar down until it touches your chest and extend your elbows completely at the end of the lift.

3. Abbs:

-Side plank
*Sets: 2-6
*Reps: 30 sec

Lie on your left side and prop your upper body up on your left forearm. Raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from ankles to shoulders. Now brace your abs and hold for 30 seconds. Roll over onto your right side and repeat. Rest 30 seconds.

-Swiss-ball jackknife
*Sets: 2-3
*Reps: 15-20

In pushup position with your feet on a Swiss ball, raise your hips and pull the ball forward. Make sure you have 30 seconds of rest between sets.

-Hip Raise/Leg Raise
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 10

Lie down on a flat bench with your legs up and perpendicular to the bench (hold the bench behind your head for stability). Lift your hips slightly off the bench by contracting your lower abs, hold for three seconds, and lower your hips. Keep your back flat on the bench, your legs straight and lower your legs until they almost form a straight line with the rest of your body. Hold for a count of three and bring them back to the starting position.

4. Legs:

-Dumbbell Bulgarian Split Squat
*Sets: 4-5
*Reps: 12-15

Start in lunge position with your rare foot on a bench. Then lower your back knee towards the floor, and stop just short of touching the ground. Your knee should end above your foot. Then push back up to the start position.

-Dumbbell Squat Jump
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 8-10

-Descend into a squat position by pushing your hips back and keeping your heels on the ground. Once your thighs are parallel with the floor, push back up and jump as high as you can. absorb the landing by descending back into a squat position.

-Standing Calf Raises
*Sets: 4-5
*Reps: 12-15

While standing or sitting in the machine, lower the weight until you feel your calves stretch. Then push the weight back up feeling your calves flex at the top of the exercise. Make sure you perform this exercise at a slower speed. About 3 seconds per rep.

5. Back:

-Arm Dumbbell Row
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 8-10

Kneel on a flat exercise bench with one knee, you other foot placed on the floor beside the bench. Support your upper body by placing your hand on the end of the bench. With your other hand grab a dumbbell. Keep your back flat and let the dumbbell hang down at arms length.

Keeping your elbow close to your side, pull the dumbbell directly upwards until it touches the side of your torso. Squeeze your back muscles for a second to maximize the peak contraction. Lower the dumbbell back to the starting position. Do the same for your other arm.

-Lat Pulldowns
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 12;10;8;4

Attach a straight bar to a high pulley. Grab the bar a bit wider then shoulder width. Sit down at the machine and place your knees under the knee pad. Straighten your arms and let your lats stretch. Hold this position for a second. Arch your back and pull the bar down in front, try to touch the bar to your chest. Hold this position for a second to maximize the peak contraction. Straighten your arms to the starting position. Repeat.

*You can vary your grip to work your back from different angles. (i.e. wide grip, narrow grip, overhand, underhand, etc.)

-Chin Ups / Pull Ups
*Sets: 2-3
*Reps: 6-10

Grab a chin up bar with your hands a bit wider then shoulder width apart. Bend your legs so that your body is hanging from the chin up bar. Straighten your arms and let your lats stretch. Hold this position for a second. Arch your back slightly and pull yourself up to the bar until your chin is over the bar. Hold this position for a second to maximize the peak contraction. Slowly lower yourself to the starting position.

6. Shoulders:

-Seated Shoulder Press
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 8-10

Seat yourself at the end of a bench and place your dumbbells on your upper thighs (always your upper thighs with this exercise, not on the ground as you want to shorten the distance you need to lift these over your head). Grab each weight so that they are facing left to right not frontward to backward and lift them over your head simultaneously. Now slowly lower each one until it is about one inch away from your shoulder.

-Shoulder Flys
*Sets: 3-4
*Reps: 10

Stand up right and hold 2 weights in front of your chest. Bend over at a 45 degree angle and lift each weight outward in a manner that resembles flying (hence the name “flys”) and then lower each weight to your waist.

-Shoulder Shrugs
*Sets: 4-5
*Reps: 4-6

Stand upright holding each weight frontward to backward. Slowly lift each weight using your shoulders and without lifting your arms. In other words, lift each weight in a “shrug” like fashion. As you lift, make sure you lift in a rolling motion, not just straight up and down.

10 Important tips for guys to know before they go on the "First Date"

10. Smell Good: Not to the point where you are overly offensive because you’ve bathed in your favorite fragrance.

9. Dressed properly for the Occasion: It’s the first date, this is your chance to impress her with your sense of style.

8. Clean Vehicle: Make sure your car in cleaned. If your car is messy what do you think she will think about your apartment/ house? If you aren’t as tidy as you would like to be, spend an hour or so cleaning both the in/outside of your vehicle before you head out.

7. Chivalry: Open doors, pull out her chair and do NOT hunk the horn when you arrive to her residence. Be a gentleman, walk up to her home and greet her with flowers and a smile.

6. Proper Table Manners: Try to avoid messy meals such as spaghetti or any foods that you have to use your fingers. This is an easy way to lose brownie points in her eyes.


                                                                  Top Five

5. Good Hygiene: Women appreciate a well groomed guy. Clean nails, good smelling breath, and NO body odor. You are potentially the guy who she will be talking about for the next couple of weeks.

4. Make the Date Enjoyable: Dinner is always a safe choice, but don’t just stop there. Add in a play or a nice walk outside or even ice cream. Either way, be creative in order to make your date memorable.

3. Good Conversation: You are both trying to get know one another right? Make sure you ask the right questions that lead to her opening up.

2. Pay Attention: Make good eye contact- Women absolutely love feeling like they are the center of your attention. Again, you are trying to get to know her, so make her feel like you are interested in what she is saying

1. Sense of Humor: Women love a guy that can make them laugh. If you have a great sense of humor, this can possible substitute for two or maybe even three of the above tips. The amount of times that you have her laughing through out the date is a clear indicator of how much she is enjoying your company.

Snap Back Hats



Chris Brown



Michael Jordan; Kid; Will Smith; Jazzy Jeff; Play

From the 90's in to the millennium, snap back hats has emerged as one of the hottest fashion trends for 2011.  Definitely a MUST have item in your wardrobe (well that is if you want to stay current with fashion).  Seen worn by Will Smith "The fresh of Bel Air" in  1992 and also Chris Brown in 2011. Yea, 1990 is back... And it doesn't look like it will be going anywhere any time soon!  Welcome back snap hats, welcome back!

Wedding Bells & Cocktails!

This is the season for weddings... Well let's see what that means. These are the several events through-out the year where you can wear your classic Black tuxedos/suit, while sucking down cock-tails and wine, conversing with some single bridesmaid or a thirty-eight year old divorced wife with two kids. Most of all you get to be a part of a special evening with friends and family's filled with great food and epic memories. Nothing states more elegance or class then a classic black suit, white collard shirt and a black bow tie. Place the wedding gift on the table, sign the guess book and proceed to unwind...

Outfit for dummies...

1. Salmon Colored Shorts

2. Plain White V-neck

3. Navy Summer Blazer

4. Colored Pocket Square

5. Cognac Wing Tip Shoes (No socks)

6. Brown Sunglasses

7. Brown Rectangular Wrist Watch

Who doesn't approve of the SPRING!

Men's tank tops are back!

Since the plain, thin white cotton "wife beaters" that we were all a custom to, now we have a variety of fabrics, colors and styles that have become a fashion staple. They aren't just underwear anymore, they can be worn in the spring/summer with a great pair of jeans, slacks or shorts. I know there are questions such as "What if I have a thinner physique" or "How are they supposed to fit since they are not considered underwear anymore". The beauty of this item is that it looks good on most sizes, and they aren't usually made passed a certain size. So if they have it in your size then you can sport it. Now, when it comes to how it should fit depends on your own style. With your body frame being slimmer, you can wear your Tank Top a little more fitted. If your body structure is slightly bigger, than compliment it with a baggier fit. Trust, you won't look bad if it's loose fitting. Be creative, try different combinations such as Chuck Taylor’s (No socks) , with dress slacks (No belt) and a nice Tank Top. Or you can even wear a pair of flip flops with shorts and a Tank Top, lastly adding a COOL hat (Fedora, baseball cap, Snap Back etc..) Either way it is YOUR style so create the image that you want to portray!